Joel Embiid on choosing Team USA over France: 'These guys wanted me'
Joel Embiid, under constant heckling from the largely French crowd at the Paris Olympics for choosing to play for Team USA instead of Les Bleus, said he picked the Americans because “these guys wanted me.” “It was a tough decision, but it is all about comfort level, and like I said, I’ve known these guys (Team USA players) for a long time and I just felt more comfortable than on the other side (France),” Embiid said Saturday after Team USA finished off pool play at the Olympics with a 104-83 win over Puerto Rico in which there were a lot more boos cast in Embiid’s direction. “There was some concern with the other side,” Embiid said. “Comfort level was huge. I always say I’m going to be where I’m wanted and these guys wanted me.”
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
New Beyond the Arc w/ @SamQuinnCBS
-Team USA thumps Puerto Rico
-Kerr’s rotations
-Embiid and Steph concern trolling has gone too far
-how long can LeBron keep this up?
🎧listen/subscribe
link.chtbl.com/beyondthearc
💻 youtube.com/@beyondthearcc… pic.twitter.com/AabItxsyx5 – 4:06 PM
New Beyond the Arc w/ @SamQuinnCBS
-Team USA thumps Puerto Rico
-Kerr’s rotations
-Embiid and Steph concern trolling has gone too far
-how long can LeBron keep this up?
🎧listen/subscribe
link.chtbl.com/beyondthearc
💻 youtube.com/@beyondthearcc… pic.twitter.com/AabItxsyx5 – 4:06 PM
Joe Vardon @joevardon
In a twist to the ongoing subplot of Joel Embiid playing in France with Team USA, he said he chose the Americans because ‘these guys wanted me’ — suggesting the French didn’t, @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/56785… – 3:23 PM
In a twist to the ongoing subplot of Joel Embiid playing in France with Team USA, he said he chose the Americans because ‘these guys wanted me’ — suggesting the French didn’t, @TheAthleticNBA nytimes.com/athletic/56785… – 3:23 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Joel Embiid hears the booing from the French fans. Boston and New York boo better, evidently. And he’s embraced it at the Paris Olympics (from @AP) apnews.com/article/e420af… – 2:48 PM
Joel Embiid hears the booing from the French fans. Boston and New York boo better, evidently. And he’s embraced it at the Paris Olympics (from @AP) apnews.com/article/e420af… – 2:48 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Joel Embiid talked about the constant booing he hears during the Olympic Games 👂👀 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/AgYxLiF98R – 2:02 PM
Joel Embiid talked about the constant booing he hears during the Olympic Games 👂👀 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/AgYxLiF98R – 2:02 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Joel Embiid loves being booed #Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/5utQAvGoBt – 1:44 PM
Joel Embiid loves being booed #Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/5utQAvGoBt – 1:44 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Joel Embiid talked about the constant booing he hears during the Olympic Games
“I’ve played in worse environments…
… In Philly, they boo their own guys, more than their opponents.”
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 1:33 PM
Joel Embiid talked about the constant booing he hears during the Olympic Games
“I’ve played in worse environments…
… In Philly, they boo their own guys, more than their opponents.”
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 1:33 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Game 1 — Jayson Tatum DNP
Game 2 — Joel Embiid DNP
Game 3 — Both started and closed the game pic.twitter.com/ai0WMPvldS – 12:54 PM
Game 1 — Jayson Tatum DNP
Game 2 — Joel Embiid DNP
Game 3 — Both started and closed the game pic.twitter.com/ai0WMPvldS – 12:54 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Not quite the performances from Curry and Embiid you’d like to see before bracket play kicks off when things could get a lil’ awkward – 12:27 PM
Not quite the performances from Curry and Embiid you’d like to see before bracket play kicks off when things could get a lil’ awkward – 12:27 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Joel Embiid with the “I can’t hear you” gesture towards the crowd 👀🥶 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/AT6t5cu5aS – 12:12 PM
Joel Embiid with the “I can’t hear you” gesture towards the crowd 👀🥶 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/AT6t5cu5aS – 12:12 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
The LeBron behind-the-back pinpoint pass with his right to Embiid cutting on the baseline was insane, but him destroying PR’s coverage on the Booker screen with a lefty bounce pass leading Book to the paint was also sensational. Off hand, in front of the moving target. Precise. – 12:08 PM
The LeBron behind-the-back pinpoint pass with his right to Embiid cutting on the baseline was insane, but him destroying PR’s coverage on the Booker screen with a lefty bounce pass leading Book to the paint was also sensational. Off hand, in front of the moving target. Precise. – 12:08 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Insane pass from LeBron James to Joel Embiid.
Team USA up 60-45 late in 1st half. #TeamUSA #Lakers #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/ghoThxLKPp – 12:00 PM
Insane pass from LeBron James to Joel Embiid.
Team USA up 60-45 late in 1st half. #TeamUSA #Lakers #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/ghoThxLKPp – 12:00 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Embiid scores for a 10-point lead, asks the crowd for more booing. – 11:56 AM
Embiid scores for a 10-point lead, asks the crowd for more booing. – 11:56 AM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Short of the controller dying on that pass to Booker, thought Embiid showed improvement in that first stint – particularly on defense.
Closing the window high in coverage, blew up a play in the paint, good contests at rim. – 11:36 AM
Short of the controller dying on that pass to Booker, thought Embiid showed improvement in that first stint – particularly on defense.
Closing the window high in coverage, blew up a play in the paint, good contests at rim. – 11:36 AM
Jeff Zillgitt @JeffZillgitt
Starting lineup for U.S. men’s 5×5 Group C game vs. Puerto Rico:
LeBron James
Steph Curry
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Devin Booker – 11:08 AM
Starting lineup for U.S. men’s 5×5 Group C game vs. Puerto Rico:
LeBron James
Steph Curry
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Devin Booker – 11:08 AM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Bam Adebayo again off bench for Team USA today 11:15 a.m. vs. Puerto Rico.
Starters:
Stephen Curry
Devin Booker
LeBron James
Jayson Tatum
Joel Embiid – 11:04 AM
Bam Adebayo again off bench for Team USA today 11:15 a.m. vs. Puerto Rico.
Starters:
Stephen Curry
Devin Booker
LeBron James
Jayson Tatum
Joel Embiid – 11:04 AM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Team USA’s third game in group play begins at 11:15 a.m. ET against Puerto Rico.
Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid will be their starting lineup. pic.twitter.com/6UExTe95oz – 10:01 AM
Team USA’s third game in group play begins at 11:15 a.m. ET against Puerto Rico.
Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid will be their starting lineup. pic.twitter.com/6UExTe95oz – 10:01 AM
More on this storyline
Now, as Embiid gets heckled at the Paris Games (so far the tournament has been held in a soccer stadium, just outside of Lille, near the Belgian border), his American teammates protect him by returning the crowd’s taunts. Embiid and teammates wave at the crowd, daring them to boo even more. It happened Saturday before, during and after Embiid’s 15-point effort against Puerto Rico. “We are all on Jo’s side,” James said. “Jo’s in great spirits, we’re all in great spirits, and as his 11 teammates, we just give him the support that he needs both on the floor and off the floor if needed.” -via New York Times / August 4, 2024
Lauren Rosen: Joel Embiid in Paris today: 15 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 2 BLK 🇺🇸👏 -via Twitter @LaurenMRosen / August 3, 2024
For one more game in the 2024 Olympics, USA center Joel Embiid was booed by the French crowd. In the last possession of the Team USA win over Puerto Rico, Embiid had the ball in his hands and when he heard the booing from the fans he actually made a gesture to them to boo even louder. “I’ve always loved it,” Embiid said. “At the end of the day, I think a lot of people think it’s hate. I see it as love and respect. If I wasn’t an OK basketball player, I would not receive that type of treatment. So I see myself as being blessed, and that’s why I interact with them. I interact with that type of crowd and that type of stuff because, like I said, I’m blessed to be here. And I’ve seen worse. I’ve played in worse environments. Both Gardens (Madison Square Garden of the New York Knicks and TD Garden of the Boston Celtics). So it’s nothing that I haven’t seen before.” -via EuroHoops.net / August 3, 2024